322 



BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



in fen, marsh, and boggy districts on the swampy 

 shores of mountain tarns and lochs ; in the eastern 

 and northern counties of England ; in Wales and 

 suitable parts of Scotland and Ireland. 



Materials. A few blades of grass or bits of 

 moss ; often nothing at all. The bird has a 

 trick of scratching out several nesting places 

 before finally selecting one for use. 



Eggs. Four and on very rare occasions five, 



HAUNT OF REDSHANK. 



much pointed at the smaller end ; ground-colour 

 varying from pale straw to buffish-brown, spotted 

 and blotched with rich dark brown, and underlying 

 markings of light brown and grey. Distinguished 

 by the buff ground-colour and bold blotches. Size 

 about 1.78 by 1.23 in. (See Plate IX.) 



Time. April, May, and June. 



Remarks. Resident, but subject to local move- 

 ment. Notes : alarm, a shrill, discordant cry, 

 resembling took or tolk. Local and other names : 

 Redshank Sandpiper, Pool Snipe, Red-legged Horse- 



